Musicals

The night passed very peacefully but I awoke a little bit earlier than I would have wished. And the morning dawdled on uneventfully. With a little catch up TV, flexing, coffee, puzzles, admin and not much else.

I tottered out into the garden as the grass was looking tussocky and green. I shall have to exercise the mower again soon, because, in between the bald/weedy patches, it is lush and thick.
I can’t make up my mind whether to do the weed killing or the grass seed bit first. Logically, Weed killing I think. Then I will mow it and then I will seed it.

I made holes and planted the lupin and oriental poppies that I bought a few days ago.

I was pleased to see that three clematis plants are coming into leaf. Two were Tesco cheapies bought by Pen not long after we moved in, which have battled to survive. And one was a much more pricey one I bought last year. They will help hide the fence.

Various other plants are showing signs of growth despite me losing at least two colourful winter favourites. A pansy has popped up from nowhere. I really need to sort out my pots.
At the front we have a good place for the potted rambling rose I bought a couple of years ago. Our neighbours have removed a boring shrub from by the fence so now the rose will have space. It doesn’t really like its pot and struggled last year. Perhaps a dose of fertiliser and a compost top up will help.
I might move one of the others to the back fence.
the daffodils are flowering at the back. I planted a few the autumn we moved in but we lost some after all the landscaping work last winter.

I eventually persuaded T to accompany me on an expedition to Milletts Farm in Frilford, the other side of Abingdon. Beware of Satnav and it’s deceitful ideas to take us unnecessarily well up the A34 to reach our destination. And then it took us to the ‘back door’, to the deliveries/ tractor / proper job entry. The visitor car park is on a completely different road.

This is not just a garden centre/ farm food shop. It has fitness opportunities, a vast play barn for children, a mini funfair, shops selling outdoor gear, and other clothing, a mini zoo. A great place for families.
We were to walk H in Phoebe Woods at the farm. But these were closed to the public because of flooding and mud. So H had to make do with a lead walk past all the petting animals which were adored by T. The lakes were out of bounds too, due to the presence of a lot of water fowl and concerns about bird flu.
We ate lunch at 14.30 in the dog friendly restaurant and then explored the plants. I got carried away and bought all of three. One was an Albertine rambling rose. We had one at BV.

I also bought a wind spinner which T broke by dropping it before it had even got as far as the garden.

It has been a slightly annoying day due to intransigent attitudes to advice offered ( eg – it’s a good idea to go to the loo here- because when we are in the cafe the loos are miles away) and also to general repetition of questions. Loo advice was ignored.

So of course after the first bucket of coffee, he wants the loo, which I happen know is tricky to find. Then we get the insistence that he can find his way to and from it. Whereas I know there is no chance.
If I thought there was any remote likelihood of him learning from the experience of getting lost, I would let him go on his own. And put up with the trauma of finding him again. But, no chance of that either.

But it has probably done us good to go out together. I usually try to avoid it. He was exhausted and went to sleep for a while when we got home. It would be really helpful if he could go to sleep in the car. To avoid his distracting comments. But he never ever does.

Yesterday evening, unlike earlier, was a delight. There was a musical theme to the evening because BBC showed National Lottery musicals. Lots of musical theatre people came and performed at a concert at Manchester Arena. A sort of thank you to the National Lottery for supporting their Arts and performers through the pandemic. What a lovely surprise. T absolutely loved it – both familiar and unfamiliar musicals. He was sitting there in his chair crooning along with tears in his eyes. A bit of normality restored.

Ali had reminded me yesterday how much he enjoyed music. Cholsey do a lot with music.

It was their National Day in Greece yesterday. There are usually parades etc. The shot below is from Gavdos island south of Crete, Europe’s most southerly point.

Thought for the Day

I don’t have a shred of musical fibre in my body. How I wish I did.